Abstract:
The XGEN Consortium has undertaken a two week-long trade visit to China to further develop collaborative links through a series of seminars and round table discussions aimed at expanding commercial opportunities between Wales and the Municipal Government of Chongqing.

A world-class platform which bridges the gap between industry and Micro and nanotechnology (MNT), XGEN's three members aim to expand commercial opportunities and increase their international profile in China.

XGEN is a unique amalgamation bringing together the UK's top micromachining and MNT (Micro and Nanotechnology) organisations to benefit a number of industry sectors including medicine and healthcare diagnostics, automation and aerospace.

Dr Steve Conlan from the Centre of NanoHealth, Dr Nadeem Rizvi of Laser Micromachining Ltd (LML) and Dr Robert Hoyle from MicroBridge make up the XGEN consortium, which is a Welsh Assembly Government initiative.

The three members have been in China to provide information and education on MNT with Dr Conlan delivering the seminars and talks to Chinese officials while LML and MicroBridge both engaged in commercial activities with several Chinese medical device companies.

The partnership between Wales and Chongqing was developed after Premier Wen Jiabao, vice premier with responsibility for the Western Provinces, visited Wales in 2000.

Dr Conlan said: "A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in March 2009 between Chongqing Science and Technology Commission and the Technology and Innovation Division of the Welsh Assembly Government to allow for co-operation and collaboration in the fields of science, technology, innovation and research.

"There is a particular focus on health, low carbon energy and sustainable economic and social renewal."

The seminars and discussions were delivered to a mix of Government commercial managers including the Chongqing Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Commission, the Science and Technology Commission and Chongqing Health Bureau.

Dr Conlan also addressed the Chongqing research and development conferences before flying to Shanghai to meet with a number of organizations at the BioBay Science Park and the new National and Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone in Suzhou.

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About XGEN consortiumThe XGEN consortium, a Welsh Assembly Government initiative, was established in 2007 to capitalise on the wealth of high-quality research, manufacturing capabilities and experience available within Wales. It provides a world-class platform that bridges the gap between industry and Micro and nanotechnologies.

The three centres that unite under the XGEN brand are LML, MicroBridge Services Ltd and the Centre of NanoHealth.